Foldable edge clamp for newspapers and magazines

ABSTRACT

A foldable edge clamp for newspapers and magazines having several length sections connected together by a hinge and each section in the form of a cross-sectionally hairpin-shaped profile which is normally open and which can be closed by means of a rotatable cam knob.

United States Patent Naumann 1 1 Jan. 21, 1975 1 FOLDABLE EDGE CLAMP FOR948,287 2/1910 Trulove 24/258 ux NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES 1,302,7715/1919 Cunningham et a1 24/137 A 1,412,078 4/1922 Gnmes 24/67.) X [7 6]Inventor: Ilse Naumann, Yorkstrasse 1,428,900 9/1922 Oppenheimer 24/679Dusseldorf, Germany 2,456,990 12/1948 Powers 24/67 R 2,508,470 5/1950Ritter 24/67 R X [221 Flledl May 1973 3,315,325 4/1967 Cornelius...24/67 AR 21 AppL 3 5 1 3,551,958 1/1971 Belt er 24/675 3,555,622 1/1971Ch1'1st1an 24/67 R [30] Foreign Application Priority Data PrimaryExaminer-Donald A. Griffin June 3, 1972 Germany 20887 Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Joseph A. Geiger [52] U.S. C1 24/81 PC, 24/675, 24/67.9 5 AB R T[51] Int. Cl. B421 1/00, A44b 21/00 7] ST AC [58] F1616 61 Search 24/137A, 252, 67.3, 67.5, A foldable edge Clamp for newspapers and magazmes24/677, 258, 262, 67.9, 67.11, 67.81 PC, 67 having several lengthsections connected together by a R hinge and each section in the form ofa crosssectionally hairpin-shaped profile which is normally 5 ReferencesCited open and which can be closed by means of a rotatable UNITED STATESPATENTS Cam knOb- 639,721 12/1899 Fowler 24/6711 9 Claims, 4 DrawingFigures 1 '1 ll 1' 1 l 3 l o: 12 1 l l! 1 111 1 1 I l 1 i1 1 l1 l l1 112 FOLDABLE EDGE CLAMP FOR NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates toclamps for paper articles, and in particular to edge clamps fornewspapers and magazines whose purpose is to stiffen the fold edge ofthe newspaper or magazine, especially when the latter is large andpliable.

2. Description of the Prior Art Edge clamps for newspapers have beenknown for a long time and their usefulness and convenience, especiallyin connection with large newspapers, is well established. However, thelarge variety of known prior art edge clamps has one particularshortcoming in common, viz., they require considerable space and aretherefore not suitable for storage in a small space, such as a pocket,bag or travel case. This disadvantage, in addition to other shortcomingsof the various prior art devices, such as weight, cost and stability,make the known prior art edge clamps unsuitable for use as a personalarticle of convenience which, when not used, is stowed away and/orcarried along by the user. Such a feature was found to be particularlyattractive for travelers, especially on long-distance journeys, whenthey have to sit for extended periods of time in a restricted space, asmay be the case in train, bus, and airplane travel. The reading ofnewspapers and magazines is a very popular mode of entertainment andemployment of time under these circumstances.

Over the past years, both daily papers and magazines have tended toincrease in size, and their lack of stiffness often requires complicatedmaneuvers and/or fatiguing forearm positions of the reader. Anotherdisadvantage of the non-foldable, prior art edge clamp is the fact that,in order to be usuable for various size newspapers, its length has tocorrespond to that of the largest newspaper, meaning that very often anoversize edge clamp is used for a smaller newspaper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary objective of the presentinvention to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings by suggesting afoldable edge clamp for newspapers and magazines which, because of itsnovel foldability, can be conveniently carried in a pocket, bag, ortravel case.

The inventor proposes to attain the above objective by suggesting anovel foldable edge clamp for large unbound reading matter such asnewspapers and magazines, which includes several sections of an edgeclamp profile which are connected together by means of a hinge, orhinges, thereby permitting a quick and convenient extension of the edgeclamp to its full length for use during reading, the clamp being foldedand stowed away when not in use. Obviously, an edge clamp which would becomposed of several separate lengths sections requiring joiningbefore'use would be quite inconvenient and may be subject to malfunctionfor lack of proper instructions or assembly skills.

The invention thus suggests that the several actions of the edge clampremain permanently connected to one another on their adjoining ends bymeans of a simple hinge. All the parts of the foldable edge clamp thusremain attached to one another, whether the clamp is extended for use,or folded for storage, so that no parts of the novel edge clamp can getlost. The operations of extending and folding the edge clamp are sosimple that the risk of error and the application of excessive force areminimized. The folded edge clamp requires very little space and cantherefore be easily carried in a bag or travel case.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the foldable edge clamp iscomposed of several length sections of a simple profile which has ahairpin-shaped cross section, the basic profile being normally open forthe insertion of the fold edge of a newspaper (or of a stack of loosesheets of paper). The clamping action on the edge clamp is obtained byforcibly closing the legs of the resilient clamp profile against oneanother. This closing action can be accomplished in a very simple mannerby providing a cam knob on one side of the edge clamp, the inclinedsurface of the cam knob allowing the edge clamp profile to remain openin one rotational postion of the knob, while closing it in anotherrotational position. These cam knobs are of a very simple design andrequire very little space. In order to permit the closest possiblefolding of the edge clamp, the distances of the various cam knobs arestaggered with relation to the hinges so as to accommodate the knobsside by side, when the edge clamp is folded. In a preferred embodimentof the invention it is further suggested that the edge clamp profileincludes a clamping lip which is bent downwardly from the upper leg ofthe clamp profile and which, when the latter is closed, bites into thepaper article which is to be held in the edge clamp. The clamping lipserves the additional purpose of stiffening the upper leg of the edgeclamp profile, thereby distributing the clamping force substantiallyover the entire length of the clamping lip. This makes it possible toarrange the cam knobs at a considerable distance from one another sothat only one cam knob per clamp section may be adequate. The mouthportion of the edge clamp profile, besides having the aforementionedclamping lip on the upper profile leg, may also be provided with acooperating ledge on the lower profile leg so that the paper article isfirmly clamped between the clamping lip and the ledge on opposite sidesof the profile mouth.

The cam knobs are preferably arranged on the upper side of the edgeclamp. Each cam knob is mounted on a cam pin which extends through abore in the upper profile leg and is attached to the lower profile leg.The cam knob is rotatable on the cam pin and is axially restrained onthe latter. It has an inclined cam surface with which it contacts theupper leg of the edge profile which, in its open position, is similarlyinclined in relation to the axis of the cam pin. The cam knob ispreferably about equal in diameter to the width of the clamp profile, inwhich case the cam pin is provided in the center of the latter. Rotationof the cam knob on its pin thus causes the upper leg of the clampprofile to be bent downwardly against its lower leg, thereby closing themouth of the edge clamp. In the closed position the cam knob is rotatedone-half turn, the contact pointbetween the cam knob and the upperprofile leg being near the clamping lip. Opening of the edge clamp isequally simple, requiring merely another rotation of the cam knob byone-half turn. The invention further suggests that the material of thefoldable edge clamp be preferably a plastic extrusion, in order tominimize the weight of the clamp. It is further suggested that the colorof the plastic material used for this edge clamp be different andcontrasting from normally encountered colors of newspapers andmagazines, in order to reduce the risk that the edge clamp may be lefton the reading article when the latter is discarded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Further special features and advantagesof the invention will become apparent from the description followingbelow, when taken together with the accompanying drawing whichillustrates, by way of example, an embodiment of the inventionrepresented in the various figures as follows:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an extended edge clamp embodying the invention,the lower portion of the clamp being cut away;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the edge clamp of FIG. 1 shown in its foldedposition;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross section of the edge clamp of FIG. 1, whenopen; and

FIG. 4 shows a similar cross section of the edge clamp, when closed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates an extendededge clamp consisting of two length sections of a clamp profile,adjacent ends of the clamp sections 1 being connected together by meansof a hinge 2. Each section 1 may, for example, have a length of 15 cmand a width of 3 cm. They may of course also be larger or smaller indimension, and the foldable edge clamp of the invention may be composedof three or more hinged sections.

The basic profile of the novel edge clamp is hairpinshaped, the open endof mouth 3 of the profile being closable as a result of the resiliencyof the material of the edge clamp profile. In its normal position themouth 3 of the edge clamp profile is open. The material of the edgeclamp is preferably plastic to minimize its weight, but the clamp mayalso be of sheet metal of any other suitable material.

The hairpin-shaped profile of the edge clamp is preferably continuousand has a narrow back 5 opposite its open mouth 3. The upper leg 4 ofthe profile includes a downwardly oriented clamping lip 6 adjacent themouth 3, the lip providing a convenient longitudinal stiffening effecton the upper profile leg 4 at its bend 8. In addition to this stiffeningeffect, the clamping lip 6 also tends to bite into the paper article. Ifdesired, the biting effect of the clamping lip 6 can be furtherincreased by providing serrations at the edge 9 of lip 6. On the lowerleg 7 of the edge clamp profile is preferably provided a ledge 10 whichcooperates with the clamping lip 6. The ledge 10 may be an integral partof the lower leg profile 7, or it may be a separate part attachedthereto, for example, a strip of corrugated rubber or the like, as shownin FIG. 3.

On each section 1 of the edge clamp is provided at least one clampingassembly, the latter consisting of a cam knob 12 which is rotatablymounted on a cam pin 13 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The rotation of the cam knobs12 controls the opening and closing of the resilient clamp profile, thenormally open profile being closable through the rotation of cam knob12, thereby closing the mouth 3 and clamping the reading matter betweenthe clamping lip 6 and the ledge 10.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the clamping assembly consists of onlytwo parts, a cam knob 12 and a cam pin 13 retaining the cam knob againstthe upper leg 4 of the edge clamp profile. The pin 13 itself extendsdownwardly through a bore in the upper profile leg 4,

its lower end being attached to the lower profile leg 7 5 by a rivetconnection, for example. The lower face of the cam knob 12 is inclinedin relation to the axis of pin 13, thereby forming an inclined camsurface 14, the upper profile leg 14 having a similarly inclinedorientation in its open position in which it bears against the inclinedcam surface 14 of knob 12 as a result of the opening bias of theresilient edge clamp profile.

When the edge clamp is in its open position, as shown in FIG. 3, thefold edge of a newspaper or the like can be inserted through the openmouth 3 of the clamp until it abuts against pin 13 (FIG. 4). Followinginsertion of the reading matter, the clamp is closed through therotation of the cam knob 12 from its position shown in FIG. 3 to itsposition shown in FIG. 4, or a position therebetween, depending upon thethickness of the material to be clamped.

In FIG. 4 the cam knob 12 is shown rotated by onehalf turn from itsposition shown in FIG. 3, the edge clamp profile being completely closedfor maximum clamping action. In this position the lowest point of theinclined cam surface 14 of knob 12 bears on the upper profile leg 4 nearits clamping lip 6. Another one-half turn rotation of the cam knob 12 ineither direction allows the edge clamp profile to open for removal ofthe reading matter.

The hinge 2 between the sections 1 of the edge clamp is preferably soarranged that the sections 1 can only be folded in one direction fromtheir extended position. In the folded condition of the edge clamp thecam knobs 12 preferably face toward the outside, as shown in FIG. 2.However, for certain purposes, it may be preferable to have smoothsurfaces on the outer sides of th folded assembly, in which case thehinges are so arranged that the cam knobs 12 fold toward one another. Inthis case it is necessary that the distances of the knobs 12 from thehinge 2 are staggered so that the knobs come to rest side by side in thefolded edge clamp. The hinge 2 of the edge clamp assembly is preferablyso arranged that the extended position of the edge clamp is stiff in onedirection. It is also possible to provide an additional extension lockin or near hinge 2 which maintains the sections 1 of the edge clamp inrigid alignment and which has to be released before folding of the edgeclamp. Similarly, it is also possible to add a simple lock whichmaintains the edge clamp in its folded position.

A further modification of the preferred embodiment of the inventionwould make it possible to open the hinge 2 between the clamp sections 1for the purpose of folding the newspaper or magazine along theseparation line between the clamp sections 1, without the need forremoving the edge clamp from the reading matter. If a safety againstcomplete separation of the edge clamp sections is desired in such acase, this may be obtained by providing a loose connecting member, suchas a band or string, between the two clamp sections, the latterpermitting the opening of hinge 2 and sufficient separation of the clampsections for the folding of the newspaper or magazine.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosuredescribes only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it isintended to cover all changes and modifications of this example of theinvention which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: l. A foldable edge clamp for unbound reading mattersuch as newspapers and magazines comprising in combination:

a plurality of edge clamp sections arranged in longitudinal alignmentwith one another, the edge clamp sections having an outwardlysubstantially flat, cross-sectionally hairpin-shaped profile with amouth portion on one longitudinal edge and with an upper profile leg anda lower profile leg connected by a longitudinal back bend opposite themouth portion, the edge clamp profile being resiliently deformable toclose its mouth portion, by bending the profile legs together againsttheir normal opening bias;

a hinge connection between the ends of adjacent clamp sections, thehinge connection permitting folding of the edge clamp sections againstone another for stowage; and

means for individually clamping each edge clamp section to a commonlongitudinal edge of the reading matter.

2. An edge clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the edge clamp profile includes in its mouth portion a longitudinalclamping lip as part of the upper profile leg, the clamping lip beingbent downwardly from the upper profile leg, thereby stiffening thelatter.

3. An edge clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the edge clamp profile includes in its mouth portion a longitudinalledge as part of the lower profile leg, the ledge protruding toward themouth portion so as to concentrate the clamping action against anyreading matter positioned in the mouth portion.

4. An edge clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the clamping means includes a cam-action means which is operable toforcibly approach the upper and lower profile legs against one anotherinto a closed position and which is frictionally retained in itsposition corresponding to the closed clamp position.

5. An edge clamp as defined in claim 4, wherein:

the cam-action means includes an upright cam pin connected to the lowerprofile leg and extending through a bore in the upper profile leg, andcam knob rotatably retained on the cam pin portion above the upperprofile leg and axially retained on the pin; the cam knob including acam surface which bears against the upper profile leg at a radialdistance from the pin; and

the upper profile leg presents an inclined contact surface to therotational path of the cam surfaceon the cam knob, the inclination ofthe contact surface against the pin being such the cam surface, whencontacting the upper profile leg near its longitudinal back bend, allowsthe clamp profile to open and, when contacting the upper profile legnear its mouth portion following a one-half turn, bends the upper andlower profile legs against one another, thereby closing the profilemouth in a clamping action.

6. An edge clamp as defined in claim 5, wherein:

the clamping knob has a diameter which extends substantially over theentire width of the upper profile the cam pin is arranged near thecenter of the clamp profile; and

the cam surface of the cam knob is a substantially flat surface ingeneral alignment with the upper profile leg in the open position of thelatter.

7. An edge clamp as defined in claim 4, wherein:

the cam action means includes an upright cam pin connected to the lowerprofile leg and extending through a bore in the upper profile leg, and'acam knob rotatably retained on the cam pin portion above the upperprofile leg and axially restrained on the pin; the cam knob including acontinuous cam surface around its rotational axis, the cam surface beingsubstantially flat and inclined in relation to the pin axis; and

the upper profile leg includes a contact surface near the profile mouthwhich is higher in relation to the cam surface of the knob than otherleg portions further away from the profile mouth; rotation of the camknob thereby causing the upper profile leg to be forcibly bent towardthe lower profile leg in a clamping action.

8. An edge clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the edge clamp sections are lengths of an extrusion profile of plasticmaterial.

9. An edge clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the edge clamp is of a color which contrasts from that of commonlyencountered reading matter and which makes the edge clamp prominentlyvisible.

1. A foldable edge clamp for unbound reading matter such as newspapersand magazines comprising in combination: a plurality of edge clampsections arranged in longitudinal alignment with one another, the edgeclamp sections having an outwardly substantially flat, cross-sectionallyhairpin-shaped profile with a mouth portion on one longitudinal edge andwith an upper profile leg and a lower profile leg connected by alongitudinal back bend opposite the mouth portion, the edge clampprofile being resiliently deformable to close its mouth portion, bybending the profile legs together against their normal opening bias; ahinge connection between the ends of adjacent clamp sections, the hingeconnection permitting folding of the edge clamp sections against oneanother for stowage; and means for individually clamping each edge clampsection to a common longitudinal edge of the reading matter.
 2. An edgeclamp as defined in claim 1, wherein: the edge clamp profile includes inits mouth portion a longitudinal clamping lip as part of the upperprofile leg, the clamping lip being bent downwardly from the upperprofile leg, thereby stiffening the latter.
 3. An edge clamp as definedin claim 1, wherein: the edge clamp profile includes in its mouthportion a longitudinal ledge as part oF the lower profile leg, the ledgeprotruding toward the mouth portion so as to concentrate the clampingaction against any reading matter positioned in the mouth portion.
 4. Anedge clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein: the clamping means includes acam-action means which is operable to forcibly approach the upper andlower profile legs against one another into a closed position and whichis frictionally retained in its position corresponding to the closedclamp position.
 5. An edge clamp as defined in claim 4, wherein: thecam-action means includes an upright cam pin connected to the lowerprofile leg and extending through a bore in the upper profile leg, andcam knob rotatably retained on the cam pin portion above the upperprofile leg and axially retained on the pin; the cam knob including acam surface which bears against the upper profile leg at a radialdistance from the pin; and the upper profile leg presents an inclinedcontact surface to the rotational path of the cam surface on the camknob, the inclination of the contact surface against the pin being suchthe cam surface, when contacting the upper profile leg near itslongitudinal back bend, allows the clamp profile to open and, whencontacting the upper profile leg near its mouth portion following aone-half turn, bends the upper and lower profile legs against oneanother, thereby closing the profile mouth in a clamping action.
 6. Anedge clamp as defined in claim 5, wherein: the clamping knob has adiameter which extends substantially over the entire width of the upperprofile leg; the cam pin is arranged near the center of the clampprofile; and the cam surface of the cam knob is a substantially flatsurface in general alignment with the upper profile leg in the openposition of the latter.
 7. An edge clamp as defined in claim 4, wherein:the cam action means includes an upright cam pin connected to the lowerprofile leg and extending through a bore in the upper profile leg, and acam knob rotatably retained on the cam pin portion above the upperprofile leg and axially restrained on the pin; the cam knob including acontinuous cam surface around its rotational axis, the cam surface beingsubstantially flat and inclined in relation to the pin axis; and theupper profile leg includes a contact surface near the profile mouthwhich is higher in relation to the cam surface of the knob than otherleg portions further away from the profile mouth; rotation of the camknob thereby causing the upper profile leg to be forcibly bent towardthe lower profile leg in a clamping action.
 8. An edge clamp as definedin claim 1, wherein: the edge clamp sections are lengths of an extrusionprofile of plastic material.
 9. An edge clamp as defined in claim 1,wherein: the edge clamp is of a color which contrasts from that ofcommonly encountered reading matter and which makes the edge clampprominently visible.